Lisa Blank, Ph.D.

I am an experienced therapist who helps children, teens, college students, adults, couples and families navigate life issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, gender identity questions, ADHD, and life transitions like divorce, school adjustment, health concerns, death of a loved one, job loss, empty nest and retirement, for healthy and satisfying outcomes.

I am friendly, approachable, welcoming and gender affirming, and tend to be active and engaged in the therapeutic process with clients. I have a BA in psychology and religion from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with an honors thesis on art therapy, and often use art in my practice. I also have a MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Michigan State University, and an M.Div from Yale Divinity School. I am comfortable with Christian counseling from a liberal perspective, and identify personally as a progressive Christion, but, as in all good treatment, the client's beliefs and values will be respected and honored. I practice play therapy with children and provide client centered psychodyamic therapy with a focus on the importance of the interpersonal therapeutic relationship. I believe change comes with insight into older patterns of coping that once served a useful purpose but may be restrictive and unhealthy: insight into the origins of those patterns leads to a necessary grieving and often forgiveness of self and others, the awareness needed for chosing differently, and the
development of healthier coping skills for a happier life.
I also do couples and family therapy, since a child's issues exist in a family system that can exacerbate problems as well as heal them. I teach parenting skills as necessary and refer clients as needed for further assessment or medication. I am happy to collaborate with school and healthcare providers. I am licensed in the state of Colorado and on most insurance panels and some EAP programs, as well as negotiating a fee for cash services. I practice within the code of ethics for my field and my state, and complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years. I believe it is important to stay contemporary with best practices informed by reach, and enjoy learning and growing myself. I think (with e.e.cummings) that "it takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are" and that therapy can be integral in that work.